Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded primarily based on financial need; however, some scholarship programs may not require need. Usually, other factors are also considered, which may include academic talent, performing talent, participation in certain activities or special interests. Scholarship requirements and application procedures vary depending upon the criteria set by the scholarship provider. Many scholarships require a separate application that must be obtained directly from the scholarship provider.

Seneff Honors College Scholarships

The Seneff Honors College awards a limited number of full tuition, non-transferable scholarships to admission candidates who demonstrate academic promise and who commit to one of the four available curriculum tracks: Global Studies track, Interdisciplinary Studies track, Leadership track, and Undergraduate Research track. All eligible students who apply for the Seneff Honors College will be considered for scholarship awards. Scholarships cover up to the credits needed for your primary degree program and any additional Honors course work specific to your track. You must be eligible for the Florida resident tuition rate to be awarded a scholarship.

Initial Eligibility

Recipients must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) so that processed results are available prior to the start of term. If selected for verification, this must be satisfied prior to the start of the term for your scholarship to award. Note: To complete a FAFSA, you must be an eligible US citizen or eligible non-citizen for financial aid purposes (students in F-1 or J-1 visa status are not eligible for the scholarship). Please allow at least 3 weeks for processing.

Recipients must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least nine Honors credits during each academic year. If you are admitted to the Seneff Honors College for the Spring term, you must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least three Honors credits during the Spring term. Failure to meet this requirement at the end of the drop/refund period will result in revocation of your scholarship for that term and your term fees will become due to the college immediately. Contact the Honors Director or an honors advisor with questions about necessary classes. Note: Withdrawal from any course may result in adjustment of your term financial aid (not just your Honors scholarship).

Renewal Eligibility

The scholarship is renewed on a term-by-term basis (Fall and Spring) pending satisfaction of renewal criteria and availability of funds.

Recipients must make good progress towards graduation in their degree program, their curricular track and satisfy co-curricular requirements as determined by the Honors Director. Recipients must attend three approved co-curricular activities per term in each term the scholarship is received.

Recipients must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) each academic year so that processed results are available prior to the start of the term. If selected for verification, this must be satisfied prior to the start of the term for your scholarship to award. Note: To complete a FAFSA, you must be an eligible US citizen or eligible non-citizen for financial aid purposes. Please allow at least 3 weeks for processing.

Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive financial aid as outlined in the college catalog.

Recipients must continue to be seeking an Associate's Degree. Once degree requirements have been met students are no longer eligible for the scholarship regardless of awarding of degree.

Recipients must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least nine Honors credits during each academic year. If you are admitted to the Seneff Honors College for the Spring term, you must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least three Honors credits during the Spring term. Failure to meet this requirement at the end of the drop/refund period will result in revocation of your scholarship for that term and your term fees will become due to the college immediately. Contact the Honors Director or an honors advisor with questions about necessary classes. Note: Withdrawal from any course may result in adjustment of your term financial aid (not just your Honors scholarship).

Recipients must maintain eligibility to be a student in the Seneff Honors College (minimum GPA of 3.25).

Recipients must complete at least 75% of attempted credits to be renewed in subsequent terms.

Signed Honors Scholarship Agreements must be received in the Honors office by the deadline listed in the recipient's scholarship award notification before the scholarship will post to the recipient's account. Failure to return the Honors Scholarship Agreement by the listed deadline may result in forfeiture of the scholarship for that term. For further information about the Seneff Honors College and available scholarships, visit valenciacollege.edu/honors.

Performing Arts Scholarships

Scholarships will be available to students engaged in performing arts activities including, but not limited to, art, drama and music.

The Academic Dean or Program Director will forward selection recommendations to the Director of Financial Aid Services for final approval and awarding. Recipients must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to receiving funding.

Alumni Two Plus Two Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Alumni Associations of Valencia College and the University of Central Florida. This award is made each year to a single high school graduate selected from nominations made by each high school principal in Orange and Osceola counties. The recipient may receive up to $4,000 in scholarship funds during the pursuit of an Associate degree at Valencia followed by a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida.

Bridges to Success

This scholarship is awarded to students who participate in the Bridges to Success Program. The Bridges to Success Program is available to disadvantaged high school graduates from Orange or Osceola County high schools. Admission to Bridges to Success is selective, limited and requires enrollment beginning in summer following high school graduation. Interested students must submit a Bridges to Success application by the January deadline.

The Bridges to Success scholarship will pay for in-state tuition and fees, plus up to $300 per term for required books and supplies; however, other financial aid awarded to the student will be considered as the amount of aid awarded to a student cannot exceed the full cost of attendance.

Initial Eligibility

Apply and be accepted to Valencia.

Apply and be accepted into the Bridges to Success Program.

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that results are received prior to the start of classes.

Enroll in at least six credit hours during the Summer Term following high school graduation.

Renewal Eligibility

Scholarship is renewed on a term-by-term basis.

Active participation in Bridges to Success activities and the recommendation of the Program Director will be required.

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that results are received prior to the start of classes each year.

Enroll in at least nine credit hours each term.

Maintain a minimum overall 2.5 grade point average each term.

Complete at least 75% of attempted credits.

Valencia Foundation Scholarships

The Valencia Foundation offers privately-funded scholarships to help students achieve their dreams of attaining a college education. Many students are working to build better lives for themselves and their families, and the foundation’s donors are committed to help make a difference for Valencia’s students. While many donors prefer to award scholarships through their own application processes, some have asked Valencia’s Scholarship Committee to screen and select the recipients.

The Foundation Scholarship Application and information on specific scholarships may be found at valencia.org. Using the application form, the student will be considered for many competitive scholarships based on this single application.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

This is a state scholarship awarded to Florida high school graduates who demonstrate high academic achievement. Awards are issued by the State of Florida for the Fall and Spring terms only directly to the eligible student. Applications and eligibility criteria are available from your high school guidance office or from the Florida Department of Education Web site: www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.

Valencia receives electronic information about eligible Valencia scholars from the Florida Department of Education. You must designate Valencia College as the school you plan to attend by visiting www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org or call 1-888-827-2004.

To be eligible, you must enroll for at least six credits of college-level course work each term. You must be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes and be a degree-seeking student. You must be a U.S Citizen or eligible non-citizen. Initial award amounts are estimated for purposes of Valencia’s financial aid award planning. Actual payment depends upon the program regulations and the amount of tuition and fees assessed for the term.

The program has three levels. Each award level has different academic criteria for eligibility. Your financial aid award will reflect an estimate of the maximum amount that would be covered if you increased enrollment in the year. Actual payment will be based on your actual Bright Future Scholarship award and enrollment.

You may receive only one award:

Florida Academic Scholars Award (pays up to $63 per credit hour of college-level tuition for lower-division courses and $71 per credit hour for upper-division courses) requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative college-level grade point average to renew; or

Florida Medallion Scholarship (pays up to $63 per credit hour of college-level tuition for lower-division courses and $53 per credit hour for upper-division) requires a minimum 2.75 cumulative college-level grade point average to renew; or

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award* (pays up to $48 per credit hour of vocational program tuition for lower-division courses) requires a minimum 2.75 cumulative college-level grade point average to renew.

*Students who graduate high school in 2012-2013 and later, who are eligible for Gold Seal Vocational cannot receive funding when they are enrolled in an Associate of Arts or Baccalaureate degree program.

Renewal criteria must be met each academic year. Failure to meet the renewal criteria will result in the loss of your Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. For first year students, summer grades and hours earned after spring evaluation may be used if necessary to meet the scholarship renewal requirements of GPA. A student must ask the Financial Aid Office to submit a grade and hours update to the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) indicating the adjusted cumulative GPA and/or hours.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Renewal Requirements

To continue to receive Bright Futures awards, students must meet minimum requirements for credit hours earned. Full-time students must earn 24 semester credit hours in the fall and spring terms. The requirements are prorated for three-quarter-time and part-time students.

Scholarship Eligibility

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) Award

Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) Award

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) Award

Minimum Cumulative GPA (unrounded & unweighted)

3.0

2.75

2.75

Minum Hrs requred per Term IF Funded Full Time (12+ hrs)

12 semester hours (earned)*

Minimum Hrs required per Term IF Funded Three-Qtr Time (9-11 hrs)

9 semester hrs (earned)*

Minimum Hrs required per Term IF Funded Half-Time (6-8 hrs)

6 semester hrs (earned)*

* Or equivalent in quarter or clock hours.

As of 2009-2010 - If you withdraw from any course(s) that were paid for by a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, you are responsible for repaying the cost of tuition and fees for those course(s). If you do not repay for Bright Futures funded classes dropped or withdrawn by the end of the current academic year, you will not be eligible for renewal or funding for the subsequent academic year.

Other Florida Scholarships Offered by the Florida Department of Education

The Florida Department of Education offers a number of scholarships for Florida residents. Please consult the Florida Department of Education Web site: www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.

Outside Private Scholarships

Many clubs and organizations offer scholarships to college students. Students can obtain information about these awards from high school guidance offices, libraries, or from the Internet. The following FREE Internet scholarship search service is recommended: fastweb.com.

If you or your family belong to any social, civic, ethnic, religious, professional or service groups, you should contact them. They often have educational assistance programs that are not advertised. Also, employers often have educational assistance plans for employees and/or dependents.

The Gordon Rule

State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.030, the Gordon Rule, requires that students complete with grades of C or better 12 credits in designated courses in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments and six credits of mathematics course work at the level of college algebra or higher. These courses must be completed successfully (grades of C or better) prior to the receipt of an A.A. degree and prior to entry into the upper division of a Florida public university.